Parks

MERRIMAN, Neb. — Cottonwood Lake State Recreation Area in north-central Nebraska has been temporarily closed because rains have flooded the park’s access road and portions of its camping area. The park will be reopened after the flood waters recede and the grounds are ready for visitors. Cottonwood Lake SRA, which includes the 60-acre lake and 180 additional acres near Merriman in the Sandhills, is managed by nearby Bowring Ranch State Historical Park.

May 22, 2019NGPC News, ParksComments Off on Most park areas open for Memorial Day weekend

LINCOLN, Neb. – Park goers will find most of the 76 park areas in the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s park system open for Memorial Day weekend. Nebraska State Parks offer fun activities for people to have fun and create family memories outdoors. With so many diverse areas, park visitors can find adventure or solitude. Some of the most popular activities include camping, boating, fishing, picnicking, huddling around a campfire, hiking, biking, watching wildlife, horse trail rides, Jeep rides, Go …

It’s the spring and summer storm season in Nebraska. You’re­ on a leisurely canoe/camping trip on Nebraska’s Elkhorn River. It’s a warm, humid spring afternoon. You’re unloading your canoe where you have permission to camp. Suddenly, you feel a few raindrops splat on your forehead as the sky becomes tumultuous and rapidly begins to darken. Then you hear loud claps of thunder in the distance. What should you do or not do? If you find yourself outdoors when a thunderstorm or tornado …

LINCOLN, Neb. – With the assistance of a trusted partner, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will begin treating ash trees at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park this month to minimize potential damage of the emerald ash borer (EAB). EAB was detected at Lakeside Campground in June 2018, with no further sightings at Mahoney or other state parks since then. To slow potential spread of the pest, Commission staff will begin treating trees with an approved pesticide. The pesticide has …

LINCOLN, Neb. – This Saturday will be a great day to go fishing or visit a state park area in Nebraska! May 18 is Free Fishing and Park Entry Day. Free Fishing and Park Entry Day is held annually in Nebraska on the Saturday preceding Memorial Day weekend. It means anyone can fish without a permit or visit a state park area without a park entry permit that day only. Even though fishing and park entry permits are not required, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has reopened all or portions of several state park areas that were temporarily closed after sustaining damage during March’s historic flood. The flood damaged roads, campgrounds, electrical hookups, boat ramp and docks, buildings and other structures. Parks staff and volunteers worked quickly to clear debris, repair damaged infrastructure and ensure public safety. Even so, access to some areas and services may be limited in certain locations. The following park areas are …

For exploring the rugged and spacious public lands of the Panhandle, it is tough to beat a mode of transportation that has been around a while. The Panhandle of western Nebraska’s rugged buttes, sweeping grasslands, rolling hills and ponderosa pine forests spur an urge of exploration for countless visitors each year. For many a seasoned cowpoke on down to the greenest of greenhorns, their most memorable experiences while visiting this region have been atop a mode of transportation that has …

If you’ve ever contacted the Reservation Call Center for Nebraska State Parks, you know who CJ Zajicek is. She’s the one who’s always nice to you – the one whose positive, personable attitude and interest in you makes you feel like you were her only phone call of the day – just the way great customer service should be. CJ has been working for the call center since it opened in 2004, taking calls for the 26 Nebraska state parks …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area officially re-opened to the public May 1 – in no small part, Nebraska Game and Parks staff members say, due to the efforts of a hard-working group of volunteers. On April 27, roughly 250 people showed up at a volunteer cleanup day, removing debris, garbage, sticks and logs. They also planted flowers, painted, and removed flowerbeds. They stuck around despite a cold front that moved in partway through the event, bringing strong …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area has reopened to public use. The park was temporarily closed after sustaining damage during March flooding. “Fremont Lakes is an important and very popular place for many Nebraskans to spend time with family and friends,” said Jeff Fields, regional superintendent for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “Our staff and many generous volunteers worked very hard to reopen this park in advance of the busy summer season.” While much of the park …